Welcome to the 'New Somerset and Dorset Railway'

The original Somerset and Dorset Railway closed very controversially in 1966. It is time that decision, made in a very different world, was reversed. We now have many councillors, MPs, businesses and individuals living along the line supporting us. Even the Ministry of Transport supports our general aim. The New S&D was formed in 2009 with the aim of rebuilding as much of the route as possible, at the very least the main line from Bath (Britain's only World Heritage City) to Bournemouth (our premier seaside resort); as well as the branches to Wells, Glastonbury and Wimborne. We will achieve this through a mix of lobbying, trackbed purchase and restoration of sections of the route as they become economically viable. With Climate Change, road congestion, capacity constraints on the railways and now Peak Oil firmly on the agenda we are pushing against an open door. We already own Midford just south of Bath, and are restoring Spetisbury under license from DCC, but this is just the start. There are other established groups restoring stations and line at Midsomer Norton and Shillingstone, and the fabulous narrow gauge line near Templevcombe, the Gartell Railway.

There are now FIVE sites being actively restored on the S&D and this blog will follow what goes on at all of them!
Midford - Midsomer Norton - Gartell - Shillingstone - Spetisbury


Our Aim:

Our aim is to use a mix of lobbying, strategic track-bed purchase, fundraising and encouragement and support of groups already preserving sections of the route, as well as working with local and national government, local people, countryside groups and railway enthusiasts (of all types!) To restore sections of the route as they become viable.
Whilst the New S&D will primarily be a modern passenger and freight railway offering state of the art trains and services, we will also restore the infrastructure to the highest standards and encourage steam working and steam specials over all sections of the route, as well as work very closely with existing heritage lines established on the route.

This blog contains my personal views. Anything said here does not necessarily represent the aims or views of any of the groups currently restoring, preserving or operating trains over the Somerset and Dorset Railway!

Friday, March 25, 2011

midford 20th march





(All pics Midford 20.3.2011 (© Tom Seale)

Tom's report to accompany the above pictures.

We spent the day clearing up and disposing of the last of the cut wood. The neighbour from Lynwood also cut down some of the smaller trees behind the fence, saves us a job. We also removed the brambles from the wall adjoining the pub carpark.

We saw the members of the two tunnels group, we are joining them on a route walk next Saturday, hopefully it'll provide an opportunity to plug the station project.

I was approached by the local Scout Leader who asked if some of his Scouts could do some clearing work. This would be done on Thursday evenings, naturally the kids would be supervised at all times. I told him I'd pass on his request, I am happy to co-ordinate (being an ex-leader myself).

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2 comments:

Knoxy said...

Midford Station must have had one of the best views from a station in the country? i am always reminded with these pictures why i'm drawn to help out on the S&D. (ok, not much this last year, but i will be down again!).

i'm pleased to read the locals are also cutting back the trees etc. And with the scouts lending a hand it has the look of a community lead project. (small society?)

Unknown said...

Passing this site on Saturday's Two Tunnels route walk I was absolutely amazed at the progress the two guys have made here. The platform is in remarkably good nick, and there are only a few areas of retaining wall that need re-pointing.